[Radiance-dev] Re: Radiance in Debian

[Gregory J. Ward]

I could easily follow the method I used for the rview -> rvu change,  
which is to install a symbolic link for compatibility in the install  
directory (genbox -> genrbox).  Bernd would put this link in the  
special directory, and genbox would become genrbox.  The manual page  
wouldn't necessarily be linked, since genrbox would be the new,  
official name.  Old scene files would still work on all installations  
done with makeall, and the Debian package would only require setting  
the PATH variable to make sure it works.  Following this solution  
seems quite reasonable to me, and I'm grateful that it's only one  
generator/program that's been hit by this (so far).  It would be much  
worse if xform had to be renamed, and that's a pretty generic name --  
we got off lucky.

-Greg

> From: Bernd Zeimetz <bernd at bzed.de>
> Date: November 6, 2007 9:36:11 AM MST
>
>> I am against Bernd's proposal of changing the name only in Debian.
>
> That was not meant as a proposal. More like: I have to change it to be
> able to get the program integrated into a distribution, you can follow
> that if you want to, or not. I (as a package maintainer) can't expect
> upstream to follow such changes, if they do so it's good, if not, it's
> something I have to live with, which includes keeping the appropriate
> patches updated for ever. Adding a documentation about the change and
> probably helping out users if they come with questions or bug reports
> resulting from it is something I have to do anyway.
> Package maintainers can't force their upstreams to do things, all they
> can do is to send their wishes and suggestions to upstream. Working
> together on such problems is the optimal case, unfortunately not all
> upstream's are as responsive as Greg is, some very prominent examples
> even refuse to keep contact at all...
>
> -- 
> Bernd Zeimetz